Washington ( The COW News Digital) U.S. technology giant Microsoft has announced it has blocked Israel’s access to its artificial intelligence and cloud services that were reportedly being used for mass surveillance of Palestinian civilians.
In an official statement, Microsoft confirmed that it had terminated the access of an Israeli military intelligence unit to its Azure cloud platform after discovering misuse of the company’s AI and data tools. According to the company, the unit violated Microsoft’s terms of service by using its technology to track and monitor Palestinians on a large scale.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s President and Vice Chair, said the decision was made after a detailed investigation and in response to revelations published by The Guardian. The British newspaper’s investigation disclosed that Israel’s elite Unit 8200 had allegedly used Azure cloud services to collect Palestinian mobile phone call records, location data, and personal information for intelligence purposes.
“This type of use directly violates our policies and compromises fundamental privacy and human rights,” Smith said. “Microsoft remains committed to ensuring its technologies are not deployed in ways that facilitate unlawful surveillance or harm to vulnerable communities.”
This marks the first time a major U.S.-based tech company has taken such action against the Israeli military over concerns related to Palestinian human rights. The move comes amid growing internal pressure from Microsoft employees and shareholders, many of whom have expressed concerns about the company’s role in enabling state surveillance operations.
Human rights organizations have praised the decision as a significant step toward corporate accountability. Advocacy groups argue that global tech firms must take responsibility for how their AI and cloud services are used, particularly in conflict zones where surveillance can lead to human rights violations.
Analysts suggest Microsoft’s decision could set a precedent for other technology providers to review their contracts with state agencies accused of human rights abuses. Some experts believe it may also increase scrutiny of AI ethics and data governance in the defense and security sectors worldwide.
Israel has not publicly commented on the decision, and it remains unclear whether its military will seek alternative platforms to continue its operations.
Microsoft stated it will continue to monitor the use of its services and suspend or terminate accounts found in violation of its responsible AI principles.
